Trout Creek dump. Until 1970, garbage in Yellowstone was still considered food for bears. It has taken many decades to understand how our trash impacts the natural resources of the park, and to clean up our act.
NPS
The Yellowstone Environmental Coordinating Committee, We Recycle Montana (Yellowstone’s recycling contractor), and the West Yellowstone Compost Facility aggregate each organization’s solid waste statistics to determine the total amount diverted in Yellowstone annually. In 2017 park employees, visitors, and partners diverted about 60% of our waste through recycling and composting initiatives.
In 2018, visitors and operations in Yellowstone National Park generated 4,117 tons of waste from paper, to batteries, to scrap steel.
Recycling
The recycling program in Yellowstone is expansive. It accepts glass, plastic, paper, aluminum, steel, cardboard, electronic items, batteries, and number of other automotive and commercial items. In 2016, park employees, visitors, and partners diverted approximately 48% of waste from the landfill through recycling and composting initiatives. Recycling of construction waste has been increased. Recycled plastic from Yellowstone is used in carpet backing through a partnership with the park’s recycling contractor and Universal Textiles and Signature Crypton Carpet.
Compost
A study done in 1994 showed that 60–75% of the solid waste generated in the park could be composted. The National Park Service worked with partners to build an industrial-grade composting facility near West Yellowstone. The facility began operating in July 2003. With the West Yellowstone compost facility operating at regular capacity, the park had been able to divert (compost and recycle) up to 60% of waste generated. Unfortunately, the wetmill at the facility is now broken and in 2015, Yellowstone concessioners switched to source separating compostable and non-compostable materials to aid the overall operation and maintain composting rates. 2017 showed an increase in compost generated. The compostable collection season was extended for hotels, restaurants and general stores.
Yellowstone National Park and its concession partners are striving to divert 75% of the solid waste produced in the park from landfills by 2020.
The YECC, Four Corners Recycling (Yellowstone’s recycling contractor), and the West Yellowstone Compost Facility aggregate each organization’s solid waste statistics to determine the total amount diverted in Yellowstone annually. In 2018 park employees, visitors, and partners diverted about 51.6% through recycling and composting initiatives.
Waste in Tons Recycled, Composted, and Sent to Landfills
Waste (tons)
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Recycling
1,510
1,988
1,891
1,705
1,580
1,404
Compost
694
458
388
331
685
722
Landfill
1,571
1,693
1,686
2,423
1,498
1,992
Total (Recycling, Compost, Trash)
3,775
4,140
3,965
4,458
3,763
4,117
Waste % Recycled, Composted, and Sent to Landfills
Waste (%)
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Recycling
40.0%
48.0%
47.7%
38.2%
42.0%
34.0%
Compost
18.4%
11.1%
9.8%
7.4%
18.2%
18.0%
Landfill
41.6%
40.9%
42.5%
54.4%
39.8%
48.0%
Total Diversion Rate
58.4%
59.1%
57.5%
45.7%
60.2%
51.6%
2018 Municipal Solid Waste in Pounds
Waste
NPS
Xanterra
Delaware
North
YPSS
Total
Total (Tons)
Solid Waste from Dumpsters
3,976,680
--
6,673
--
3,983,353
1,992
Other Solid Waste
--
--
--
--
--
--
Total Soild Waste
--
--
--
--
3,983,353
1,992
2018 Demolition, Renovation, and Construction Waste in Pounds
